Abstract: A method includes engaging a well of a cartridge with a flow sensor of an instrument. The cartridge includes: a rotary valve including a rotatable port and a center port; the well in fluid communication with a channel, the channel including a channel port that the rotatable port is to align to in order to receive fluid from the well; and a flowcell including an inlet gasket in fluid communication with the center port. A source of pressurized air is connected to the flow sensor in order to establish a mass flow of air through a flow path. The flow path extends through one of the flow sensor, the channel, the rotary valve, and the flowcell. The mass flow of air through the flow path is measured with the flow sensor. It is determined if there is one of an air leak and an air blockage within the flow path.

Abstract: A method includes engaging a well of a cartridge with a flow sensor of an instrument. The cartridge includes: a rotary valve including a rotatable port and a center port; the well in fluid communication with a channel, the channel including a channel port that the rotatable port is to align to in order to receive fluid from the well; and a flowcell including an inlet gasket in fluid communication with the center port. A source of pressurized air is connected to the flow sensor in order to establish a mass flow of air through a flow path. The flow path extends through one of the flow sensor, the channel, the rotary valve, and the flowcell. The mass flow of air through the flow path is measured with the flow sensor. It is determined if there is one of an air leak and an air blockage within the flow path.

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. A passivation layer extends over the device base and forms an array of reaction recesses above the light guides. The biosensor also includes peripheral crosstalk shields that at least partially surround corresponding light guides of the guide array to reduce optical crosstalk between adjacent light sensors.

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. A passivation layer extends over the device base and forms an array of reaction recesses above the light guides. The biosensor also includes peripheral crosstalk shields that at least partially surround corresponding light guides of the guide array to reduce optical crosstalk between adjacent light sensors.

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. A passivation layer extends over the device base and forms an array of reaction recesses above the light guides. The biosensor also includes peripheral crosstalk shields that at least partially surround corresponding light guides of the guide array to reduce optical crosstalk between adjacent light sensors.

Abstract: Some embodiments provided herein include methods and compositions for the detection of target ligands on an array. In some embodiments, a capture probe specifically binds to a target ligand from a sample, the location of a bead comprising the capture probe in an array is determined, and the bead is decoded to identify the capture probe and the sample. In some embodiments, a barcode is indicative of a capture probe attached to a bead; and an index is indicative of a subpopulation of beads. Some embodiments relate to sequencing target polynucleotides from several different nucleic acids samples on a bead array.

Abstract: A system includes a droplet actuator having a droplet-operation gap between top and bottom substrates, a reservoir(s) external to and coupled to the droplet actuator, the reservoir(s) sized for a large-volume fluid, and pressure source(s) external to the droplet actuator and coupled to the at least one reservoir. Operation of the system includes filling the reservoir(s) with a large volume of fluid(s), dispensing droplet(s) of the fluid(s) to the droplet-operation gap using the pressure source(s) as part of performing a droplet operation(s). Movement of the droplet(s) may be effectuated by activating the droplet actuator.

Abstract: An electrowetting-based droplet actuator includes top and bottom substrates, a droplet-operation gap between the top and bottom substrates, the droplet-operation gap including a gradually-reduced gap height in a direction of droplet flow when in use, and spaced electrodes embedded in the bottom substrate spanning a region thereof corresponding to the gradually-reduced gap height. A method includes gradually reducing a gap height in section(s) of a droplet-operation gap between top and bottom substrates of an electrowetting-based droplet actuator, the gradually reducing being in a direction of droplet flow when in use from a large-gap inlet to a small-gap outlet (relative sizes), the large-gap inlet being larger in height, the bottom substrate including spaced electrodes embedded therein spanning a region of the bottom substrate corresponding to the gradually reduced gap height, and moving dispensed droplet(s) of liquid in the direction of droplet flow using the spaced electrodes and an applied voltage.

Abstract: A circuit with electrical interconnect for external electronic connection and sensor(s) on a die are combined with a laminated manifold to deliver a liquid reagent over an active surface of the sensor(s). The laminated manifold includes fluidic channel(s), an interface between the die and the fluidic channel(s) being sealed. Also disclosed is a method, the method including assembling a laminated manifold including fluidic channel(s), attaching sensor(s) on a die to a circuit, the circuit including an electrical interconnect, and attaching a planarization layer to the circuit, the planarization layer including a cut out for the die. The method further includes placing sealing adhesive at sides of the die, attaching the laminated manifold to the circuit, and sealing an interface between the die and fluidic channel(s).

Abstract: A circuit with electrical interconnect for external electronic connection and sensor(s) on a die are combined with a laminated manifold to deliver a liquid reagent over an active surface of the sensor(s). The laminated manifold includes fluidic channel(s), an interface between the die and the fluidic channel(s) being sealed. Also disclosed is a method, the method including assembling a laminated manifold including fluidic channel(s), attaching sensor(s) on a die to a circuit, the circuit including an electrical interconnect, and attaching a planarization layer to the circuit, the planarization layer including a cut out for the die. The method further includes placing sealing adhesive at sides of the die, attaching the laminated manifold to the circuit, and sealing an interface between the die and fluidic channel(s).

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. A passivation layer extends over the device base and forms an array of reaction recesses above the light guides. The biosensor also includes peripheral crosstalk shields that at least partially surround corresponding light guides of the guide array to reduce optical crosstalk between adjacent light sensors.

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. The biosensor also includes a shield layer having apertures that are positioned relative to the input regions of corresponding light guides such that the light emissions propagate through the apertures into the corresponding input regions. The shield layer extends between adjacent apertures and is configured to block the excitation light and the light emissions incident on the shield layer between the adjacent apertures.

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. The biosensor also includes a shield layer having apertures that are positioned relative to the input regions of corresponding light guides such that the light emissions propagate through the apertures into the corresponding input regions. The shield layer extends between adjacent apertures and is configured to block the excitation light and the light emissions incident on the shield layer between the adjacent apertures.

Abstract: A system and method of calculating the pricing of credit based on engagement with a driver programme includes receiving data including information relating to the compliance of a driver in a plurality of programme areas related to motor vehicle driver behaviours and storing the data in a database. Points are awarded to the driver wherein the points allocated are related to the compliance of the driver in the programme areas and the points allocated are used as one factor to calculate the pricing of credit for the driver wherein the higher the degree of compliance with the programme the cheaper the pricing of the credit.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing a financial management programme includes defining a plurality of financial management programme areas and receiving data relating to the financial compliance of an individual or organisation in each of the financial management programme areas. The data is stored in a database and then processing the data to determine an award for the individual or organisation based on their financial compliance.

Abstract: A system and method of calculating the pricing of credit based on engagement with a wellness programme includes monitoring the compliance of a person with a wellness programme and storing data relating to the compliance of the person with a wellness programme. The stored wellness data is used as one factor to calculate the pricing of credit wherein the higher the degree of compliance with the wellness programme the cheaper the pricing of the credit.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a liquid packet as packaging for liquid sweetener. The liquid packet has a generally planner or cylindrical construction with seals at appropriate locations. The liquid packet is sized to deliver a sweetness level of at least one teaspoon (1 tsp.) of sugar. Another aspect of the invention is a liquid packet having a pour spout and a tear notch. Preferably, the spout and tear notch are located near a corner of the liquid packet and allows for pouring of the content from the spout after a top section of the packet material is partially torn without completely tearing off a piece of the packet. An optional leak-prevention feature may be provided to prevent the remnants of the liquid from leaking out easily after the packet is opening and not all the liquid is used.